John Langford named new VP and GM of The O2
John Langford, director of live entertainment at The SSE Hydro arena in Glasgow, has been appointed vice-president and general manager of The O2 following Rebecca Kane Burton’s stepping down last month.
Reporting to venue operator AEG Europe’s senior vice-president of facilities, Richard Krezwick, Langford will step into the new position on 1 November.
Prior to his leadership role at The SSE Hydro and the wider Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre, which AEG Europe president Tom Miserendino credits as “pivotal” in turning the 13,000-capacity venue “into one of the world’s leading entertainment venues”, Langford spent seven years as chief operating officer of now-Live Nation-owned South African promoter Big Concerts.
“With John’s knowledge of the music and entertainment business world and his proven track record in the venue management business, I know he’ll do a fantastic job”
“I am incredibly excited to be joining the team at AEG and The O2,” says Langford. “I have always admired the impact that The O2 has on the live entertainment industry and I am greatly honoured that I can play a part in the future growth of this iconic venue. I will miss my colleagues at the SECC tremendously and I wish them well as their incredibly successful journey continues.”
Krezwick adds: “With John’s knowledge of the music and entertainment business world and his proven track record in the venue-management business, I know he’ll do a fantastic job. John inherits a tremendously talented team at The O2 which will certainly make for a seamless transition and a bright future ahead.”
The 20,000-capacity O2, in London, was once again the world’s top arena by ticket sales in 2015.
Get more stories like this in your inbox by signing up for IQ Index, IQ’s free email digest of essential live music industry news.